monarch

When Bishop Gardner's carriage passed through the city, the news that the Janissaries had arrived outside the city had already spread among the citizens.A large group of people was walking aimlessly on the street, many of them looked at the patrolling soldiers and the shops on both sides of the road with malicious eyes.

A good captain can predict the coming of a storm from the changes in the shape of the clouds on the skyline, but in the bishop's view, the current situation in the city has revealed all the characteristics before the riots.It is likely that, even if the Praetorian Guards do not attack the city, the short-lived regime established by the capital together with Princess Mary will unravel itself in a riot.

Bishop Gardner now finally had a sense of impending doom. Everything around him was collapsing, and the sky of his world was pressing down directly on top of his head.During decades of ups and downs in the officialdom, Bishop Gardner thought that he might fall one day, but when the possibility of his downfall was clearly revealed to him, the strong soul of this old man was almost completely crushed up.

Now, for Princess Mary and the bishop, the only lifeline is to hope that Robert Dudley will listen to his own reason instead of being carried away by anger.Bishop Gardner had used his eloquence to shine in countless negotiations, but this time the situation was completely different. He was negotiating for his own wealth and life.Cicero's tongue did not save his life, and the bishop needed better eloquence and luck if he wanted to preserve his life and his splendor.

The carriage drove out of the city, and Bishop Gardner opened the window slightly, the dusty wind poured into the stuffy carriage and blew on his face, making him feel better.

Bishop Gardiner conceived the upcoming negotiations in his mind: first of all, he needed to make Robert Dudley realize that his current situation did not have the advantage he imagined, but that he was on the edge of a cliff, and if he was not careful, he would To stumble and fall.Then, he wanted to convince the young man that the kind-hearted old man in front of him was on his side and considered his interests--in Bishop Gardner's view, this was not difficult, after all, it was a It's the housekeeping skills of the clergy.Afterwards, it was time to put forward conditions, and Princess Mary's generous conditions would surely be able to impress this inexperienced young man with little effort.

The wheel of the carriage hit a stone, and the carriage jerked violently.The pain from the waist was like a flash of lightning flashing across the dark night sky, which woke Bishop Gardner from his wishful thinking.

He gently rested his head on the satin cushion of the carriage, pressed his fingers on the bridge of his nose, and tried to put himself into the role of Robert Dudley, imagining the man who now holds the fate of the entire kingdom in his hands What kind of thinking is going on in the brains of young people now.

Why did Robert Dudley accept Princess Mary's terms?the bishop asked himself inwardly.Now he has the absolute upper hand. As long as the earl is willing, the Guards can attack London, which is almost an empty city, at any time. Tonight he can have dinner at the king's table in Whitehall Palace.He held Jupiter's Thunder in his hand, so why should he give this huge power to others like a hot potato just because of a few illusory threats?

The bishop calculated the current situation with his statesman's shrewdness: Princess Mary's offer was very generous, but as long as Robert Dudley had the Guards in hand, he could always take what Princess Mary promised to provide him. s things.All the Guards want is rewards, and they don't mind whether these bounties and titles come from Her Majesty Queen Mary I, or Robert Dudley...or His Majesty King Robert?

Bishop Gardner shivered violently, as if a red-hot iron needle had pierced his heart, he couldn't help but let out a soft cry.

As if a gust of wind had blown away the dense fog that lingered over the field, Bishop Gardner felt that everything before him suddenly became clear.It is true that Robert Dudley had no royal blood, yet there was not much of the noble blood of the Plantagenets in the veins of the Tudors now on the throne, whose crowns were forged with the blood of Bosworth's battles, Then naturally it can be replaced by more blood.Furthermore, if he needs royal blood as a fig leaf, he can achieve his goal as long as he marries a woman of royal blood, whether it is Princess Elizabeth or the youngest daughters of the Gray family.

"Yes, yes, that's it." Bishop Gardner murmured to himself, "No one can stop him from becoming king now... The imperial guards naturally want this meritorious service from the dragon, and once he becomes king , will confiscate a large amount of noble property to reward this army, and what kind of honor he will give King Edward at that time is nothing more than a matter of one sentence...Violence is the foundation of all power, and if you master violence, you will master it. Ultimate power, and this young man holds in his hands one of the most powerful machines of violence in all of Europe..."

The bishop's voice became smaller and smaller, and he felt a chill on the back of his neck, as if the sharp edge of the executioner's ax had been pressed against it.He rested his pale forehead with one hand, and stared straight at the wood patterns on the front wall of the carriage with his eyes.

So what to do now?The bishop weighed all possibilities in his mind.Swearing allegiance to Princess Mary was first ruled out of his mind. It was not the first time that the bishop had changed his family, jumping from a sinking ship to a new one that smelled like paint. It's something everyone does.Now that he has this good opportunity to be the first to get on the bus, why can't he get himself a good seat in the car?

"He needs someone to take refuge now." The bishop felt his blood rushing to his temples. "The soldiers of the Guards are a bunch of simple-minded warriors. How can they understand the secrets of politics! Now he is using me Such a highly respected politician to preside over the cabinet..."

In an instant, the clouds cleared and the mist cleared. Bishop Gardner felt his eyes and ears were clear, and his mind suddenly opened up: Since they are both prime ministers, what difference does it make under which king they serve?Wouldn't it be better to be Prime Minister under a young and unrooted young man than to serve a middle-aged queen who is moody and brooding and has no lack of legitimacy?Robert Dudley had always been the sword in the king's hand, and he was used to following orders rather than being the one at the helm.As long as he can convince the other party to believe in him, it will be easy for him to turn his back on the guest and become the manipulator behind the new king who really controls everything, just like the powerful palace ministers in the Frankish Kingdom back then.

The bishop rubbed his hands excitedly like a fly, he was a little carried away by the grand road in front of him.

Not far from the city gate, the carriage encountered the vanguard of the Imperial Guard.After learning that the bishop was an envoy sent by the city, the officer leading the team readily let them go, and at the same time sent a team of cavalry to escort them, although this was just a polite term for surveillance.The bishop saw well-equipped infantry and cavalry from the window of the car, as well as those black bronze cannons, the ferocious muzzles were facing the direction of the city.Even a bishop with no military experience could tell that the Imperial Guards were occupying an offensive position, and they could launch an offensive against the vulnerable capital at any time as long as they wanted to.

If the bishop still hesitated just now, the scene in front of him completely made up his mind.He originally planned to put forward Princess Mary's conditions first, and then play it by ear depending on Robert's reaction, but now he decided to surrender to Robert Dudley as soon as he saw him. Not only that, but he also tried his best to persuade the other party to attack the city immediately .When the new king rewarded him for his meritorious service, his move made him a logical change from a surrenderer to a contributor to the establishment of the new dynasty.Besides him, who else is qualified to be the prime minister of the new dynasty?

The carriage passed through the forest and grassland in the outskirts, and soon arrived at the huge courtyard in front of Hampton Palace.The expansion of that majestic palace is still under construction, but what is now complete is the largest in Europe.On the huge marble facade, the statues of the kings of England condescendingly watched the bishop's carriage speeding all the way until it stopped in front of the horseshoe-shaped stairs.

The bishop stepped briskly on the pedal and jumped out of the carriage.

An officer dressed in black greeted the bishop at the door. He bowed indifferently to the bishop, and made a gesture of invitation without saying a word, signaling the bishop to follow behind him.

The halls and corridors were empty, the footsteps of the two echoed among the marble walls and vaults, and the sunlight streaming in through the French windows cast long shadows behind them.

The officers led the bishop into the empty Alexandria Hall. This huge hall is 220 feet long. Like the later Versailles Palace, its walls are decorated with a large number of crystal mirrors, which also makes the scale of this hall smaller than it actually is. To appear grander.

On the high platform at the end of the hall, there is a golden throne, and above the throne is a huge gold and red canopy, on which the coats of arms of the Tudor family and King Edward VI are embroidered with gold thread.

Robert Dudley was standing beside the throne, and when he saw the bishop approaching, he nodded coldly.

The bishop walked up to Robert solemnly and bowed deeply towards him.

"I heard that you brought Princess Mary's conditions." Robert said bluntly.

"Indeed, Your Excellency." The Bishop nodded, "However, I'm not going to say it now."

Robert frowned slightly, "Why?"

"Because you would not be interested in these terms, nor should you be. Mary Tudor has nothing to offer you, and it is a This kind of deception." The bishop said sternly.

Robert's eyes widened slightly in surprise for a moment, and after a while, a complex expression that seemed to be a smile but not a smile appeared on his face, which made Bishop Gardner, who was carefully observing his reaction, feel a little at a loss.

"Then what are you going to tell me?" Robert said with a hint of interest in his voice.

Bishop Gardner was greatly encouraged by this interest, "Now the Imperial Guard is in your hands, which means that as long as you want to, you can become the master of the country... Whose sword is the best now?" sharper, the louder he speaks. You hold the sharpest sword in your hand, and naturally everyone should listen to you."

Robert seemed to understand the bishop's words. He turned his head, looked at the throne beside him, and raised his chin slightly.

"Is that what you mean?"

A foxy smile appeared on the Bishop's face.

"The throne is now at your fingertips. Didn't the Tudors win the crown with their swords?" the bishop tempted, "I understand your loyalty to the late King Edward, and you are willing to watch A murderer who participated in the murder of His Majesty sits on the throne?"

"You can fulfill King Edward's legacy, you can build a magnificent monument to him, you can have Parliament give him the title, 'Edward the Just', what do you think? Let posterity speak of his name, . . . you Don't you want to do that?"

"Parliament and nobles probably won't agree." Robert lowered his head, as if he was seriously considering the bishop's proposal.

"If Your Majesty is willing, I will serve you wholeheartedly." Seeing what was going on, the bishop even changed his address to Robert, "I will take care of all your questions, about the title of the late king, and any other questions , all on me..."

"I think this title is pretty good." With a familiar voice, a small door on the side was pushed open.

Edward sat in a heavily padded wheelchair and was pushed into the room by a soldier. He looked at the Bishop with a perfect smile on his face, and his eyes showed a lion playing between his paws. The look in his eyes when he was struggling.

Robert heard Bishop Gardner gasp, his mouth gaping comically wide enough to fit an apple, his gray hair standing on end.

The bishop seemed to have been stabbed through with a sword, his throat sounded like a box being sealed, and his face gradually changed from pale to blue-black, and then turned into a purple-black like a pig's liver.

He raised a hand and pointed at the king tremblingly. If Shakespeare, the literary giant who will become famous in the next few decades, could witness the performance of the bishop, then when he described the scene of Macbeth pointing at Banquo in the future, You must remember the distorted face of Bishop Gardner.

Robert stepped forward and helped the king sit on the throne.The king still had a sick look on his face, and the outline of that face was much thinner than before. However, his life was obviously not in danger. On the contrary, he looked completely recovered from a long illness.

"You look very surprised." The king said sarcastically, "You are a priest... You must have told your followers the story of the resurrection of Jesus many times. You should be the most acceptable to return to the world from the grave."

The bishop looked at the king desperately, as if he wanted to say something, but now that eloquent golden tongue turned into a fish frozen in the ice in winter, unable to even move.

His knees gave way, and he fell to his knees suddenly. The huge movement made the king think for a moment that he would smash the teak floor of the hall with his knees.

"I...beg Your Majesty's...forgiveness..." the bishop said incoherently. He felt the stars appearing in front of his eyes, and he couldn't help covering his forehead with one hand, "It wasn't my intention... I was deceived ..." Fear engulfed the bishop like a mist spreading in winter, and he shivered as if he had a fever.

"Someone deceived you?" The king laughed, his finger lightly tapping the armrest of the throne. "Is it my sister? What did she deceive you with? Is it the position of Prime Minister?"

Bishop Gardner yelled like an animal facing a butcher's knife. His hands were folded in front of his chest, tears and snot mixed with sweat, flowing all over his face, showing that old face full of ravines. It looks like the city of Venice after the flood.

"Please Your Majesty..." he cried, "Please have mercy..."

"You are such a coward." The king looked at the mud lying on the ground with disdain, "Cromwell, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Lord Protector, they all lost to you, but which one of them? Isn't it more dignified than you?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me... please forgive me, Your Majesty..." the bishop crawled towards the king, "I am willing to resign from all positions, and I am willing to give all my property..."

"That's not enough to keep you from the guillotine!"

"Please send me to the Tower of London, please let me spend my sad remaining years in the dungeon..." the Bishop said, sobbing.

"Your desire to live really surprises me." The king winked at the soldiers standing by, and the soldiers immediately stepped forward and dragged the bishop away who was about to put his lips on the king's boots.

"To be honest, you don't need to kiss my feet. I'm not the Pope." Edward yawned. "You can rest assured that I have no intention of killing you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty..." the bishop panted hoarsely, lying on the ground.

"Not only that, but I also need your services. Since you want to be Prime Minister so much, I want you to be Prime Minister for another three months. What do you think?"

The bishop stared at the king with bloodshot eyes, his hair was disheveled, his purple robe was wrinkled by his movements, and the corners of his mouth were involuntarily dripping foam, "I...I don't understand your mean."

"After this rebellion is over, there are some people, in fact many people, who need to be dealt with." The king's eyes shot a cold light, "I have a lot of blood on my hands, if you are willing to help me solve it as Prime Minister This trouble, then I am willing to let you retire decently, what do you think? I don’t want your property either, after all you will help me copy hundreds of times of wealth, right? "

Bishop Gardner finally understood the king's intentions. His Majesty wanted him to be the sharp knife in the upcoming purge. He was going to issue countless death warrants in the name of the Prime Minister and collect countless noble properties into His Majesty's private treasury. , so that His Majesty will not be tainted with the reputation of a tyrant, in exchange, the King will allow him to enjoy wealth and honor in his later years.

Bishop Gardiner didn't hesitate for a moment, and immediately began to shake his head violently up and down.Doing so would undoubtedly make him a public enemy of the aristocracy, but he was about to quit politics anyway, and besides exchanging hundreds of other people's heads for his own, only a fool would hesitate to do such a good deal.

"Help the prime minister to the library." Edward ordered to the attendant standing beside the bishop.

He looked at Bishop Gardner again, "You should write a letter to my sister, tell her what you have seen here, and let her think about where she wants to go, after all, she is still pregnant with the child."

Bishop Gardner nodded mechanically like a puppet. Two servants held his arms and asked him to stand up, and then dragged the bishop, whose legs could no longer stand upright, out of the hall.

The king couldn't help laughing as he watched the bishop being dragged out like a bag of faces.

"These lovely priests...the dirtiest souls are often hidden under their luxurious cassocks and empty morals." He looked at Robert who was standing beside him, "I don't know if God really exists, but If he really exists, then this venerable bishop will probably have to explain it to him after his death!"